Beginning in the early thirteenth century, works of art created in Tibet took on a distinctly Tibetan composition.
Beginning in the early thirteenth century, works of art created in Tibet took on a distinctly Tibetan composition.
Placed at the top of the paintings were the religious masters responsible for the transmission of the particular teaching depicted. The main figure and entourage representative of the teaching were depicted at the center. The practitioner and/or donor and subsidiary practices were shown at the bottom. The paintings had a rather rigid organization of space and a color palette dominated by red, occasionally set against a blue background. Beginning in the fifteenth century, green was used more prominently.
This section presents a range of early Tibetan works primarily dating prior to 1500. Although distinctive in composition, early Tibetan art quoted Indian and Nepalese art extensively. Accordingly Tibetans retrospectively differentiated works of the Eastern Indian Style (Sharri) and Kashmiri Tradition (Kache luk) from those of the Nepalese Style (Beri). These traditions remained strong, especially in western Tibet and the Western Himalayas, even while painting styles were rapidly changing in Central Tibet.
Select each work to learn more.
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